t.j. winnick has that story. >> reporter: at first glance, this pear tree looks like all the rest in this bronx nursery. but look a little closer, and its scars hint at an incredible journey. one that began nine years ago. in the days after september 11th, rescue workers were in a race against time to find survivors. this tree, bent and broken, was pulled out from under 12 feet of rubble. it had sprung a small branch, willing itself to survive. richie cabo has been nursing the tree back to health from the beginning. >> when we saw the tree come up, it looked like a wounded soldier. and it had ashes on the top part of the crown. >> reporter: it became known as the survivor tree. serving as an inspiration for all those who escaped ground zero. >> people will want to look at it and be part of it. people will want to hug this tree, because they're survivors. >> reporter: soon, it will return home when it is replanted this november at what will be the national september 11th memorial and museum